Latest book has been finished, after a round of twitter polls the last book was really decided on by everyone else, The selection was a Modern Book, Non Fiction and the first one of those on my shelf that night was this one.
The book is Roger Ball! Written by Donald E Auten. This book is decidedly deceptive. The title doesn’t really tell you what it is about, and the it’s a Biography not an autobiography (which is what I normally enjoy reading, but this time it wasn’t my choice really.
The term Roger Ball! is a unique naval aviation term. When a pilot is landing his aircraft onto the deck of an aircraft carrier he uses a optical device commonly referred to as the “Meatball” or simply the “Ball” to orientate himself to ensure he is landing correctly and safely. As they approach the ship the pilot replies to the ship that he is on track after the command “Call the Ball” the pilot would respond that he can see the ball and is on track, “Roger Ball.”
The book is actually about Hawk Monroe Smith. A former US Navy Pilot/Rio (Radar Intercept Officer) who was also a Commander of the famous Topgun. The book follows Hawk, pretty much from his process of learning to fly as a RIO, and then his time as a pilot and on through the process of becoming the Commander of Topgun. I really enjoyed this book. “Hawk” is the kind of person that you can see yourself liking instantly. Someone you would follow to the end of the earth, someone who is a natural leader, something I wish I was.
Hawk started off his Navy career as a RIO in the F4 Phantom, a Vietnam era aircraft that was my favourite from that era. The thing just looks menacing! Beautiful lines and fast as hell but it had one fatal flaw. After years as a RIO, Hawk was invited to train as a Pilot, something he had always wanted to do (me to actually… but not off the back of an Aircraft Carrier).
With a Career that spanned time as an F4 pilot, then as a “test” pilot in the F4, then working on the F14 project and then to work as the XO (Executive Officer) of Top Gun and then to become the Commanding Officer of TOPGUN it follows each step with great depth of the events that happen with each and every movement. The focus of the whole book is really on his time at Top Gun.
Hawk was the target of things that almost destroyed his career yet he showed the tenacity and the leadership to not let it affect him or his attitude towards his staff and his work. I don’t know how he did it, but I wish I could handle things the same.
The book is very thorough and very well written. It is an awesome read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had pictures in my head full of dog fighting phantoms (or tomcats) prancing around the sky battling Migs or other aircraft. It was like the movie TOPGUN battling out in my head (makes me want to watch that movie again so badly). Unfortunately HAWK was not at TOPGUN during the time of the movie era.
Anyone who is interested in Naval Aviation or even a keen like of the movie TOPGUN should read this book.